This is my first go at writing anything like this so any constructive criticism is welcome. This first chapter will be a bit short because it's just a set up of sorts. I do not own any of the characters (associated with Marvel comics) except my original characters Sarina, Kayan and Shah. Also if anyone reading this is familiar with Norse mythology I do not depict Muspelheim in the same way that it is depicted in the traditional mythology. I've used the name and the idea of a "land of fire" as an inspiration of sorts. Muspelheim in this story is more likened to ancient Egypt as far as geography…mostly arid landscape with strips of fertile land on either side of a large river. With all of that in mind, enjoy!
Love is blind; hate is deaf ~ Unknown
Chapter 1: The Punishment
The whole of the Great Hall of Asgard fell silent as the prisoner entered through the vast doors. Wearing shackles and what he could only term a muzzle, Loki walked slowly alongside his brother down the heart of the Great Hall. Murmurs from the royal court gradually drifted through the crowd that had gathered to see the sentencing of the disgraced Dark Prince. "How could a son of Odin have done something so heinous?" "What will become of him now?" "Surely the All-father cannot merely forgive such a transgression as this." Loki chose to ignore them all. If this crowd of simpletons felt the need to paint him as the fiend of this realm then so be it. His plan had failed miserably and now he was going to be compelled by his father, Odin, to make penance.
Loki shifted uncomfortably as he was brought to firm halt before the throne of the All-father. At one time Loki would have given anything to receive a kind word from Odin…but never again. That fateful day on the Bifrost marked the final time that he would ever covet the approval of the one he once called his father. In actuality, the only face in the entire Hall that gave him pause was that of his mother, Frigga. He felt the sickening wrench of guilt in the pit of his stomach as he looked to see tears streaming silently down her face. His mother had always shown him kindness and it troubled him to imagine that he had caused her such grief. "Better she realize who I am now than to hold on to the hope of having another beloved son such as Thor" he thought bitterly.
Odin tapped his staff once on the white marble floor of the Great Hall and all who were present fell silent. The time for judgment had arrived. Loki narrowed his cobalt eyes and lifted his head to look Odin square in the eye. He refused to allow the All-father to believe that he was frightened. " Loki Odinson, you have committed grievous crimes against the realm of Midgard and its inhabitants," intoned Odin meeting Loki's heated gaze. " These crimes resulted in the lose of countless innocent, human lives and cannot go with impunity. Is there something that you wish to say before your sentence is handed down?"
"Not that I could actually say anything with this muzzle on" Loki thought before he realized that the delicate tug he felt at the back of his neck was Thor loosening the device around his mouth and jaw. After taking a few moments to rotate his jaw in order to relieve it of the stiffness caused by the contraption Loki returned his gaze to Odin. "No, if this court deems it suitable to perceive me as a monster then so be it." He spoke the word with such finality that he was nearly certain that he saw a sadness creep into the All-father's eye.
"You may soon come to regret words uttered in hate," Odin whispered so that even Loki barely caught the words. "Loki Odinson, for your crimes against Midgard your punishment is as follows: You are to remain in your true form with your magic bound until your are deemed truly remorseful for your actions and are fit to once again take up your duties as a prince of Asgard." With those final words Odin waved his hand in a small circle over Loki's head bringing up a bright beam of light… Loki's magic.
"Is that the best that the mighty Odin can do?" Loki thought as the crowd in the Great Hall let out a collective gasp. At that moment, Loki glanced down to his hands and watched in silent horror as a deep blue trailed its way up his once porcelain skin. His true form Loki suddenly grasped was a Jotun. He knew even without the aid of a mirror that his eyes now glowed an intense orange that stood out against a backdrop of cerulean skin. "Finally," thought Loki "I am the monster that parents tell their children about at night."